We're getting our first glimpse into what Fall 2020 could look like for students returning to school in Greenville County.
In a workshop held virtually on Tuesday evening, Greenville County school board members discussed the six potential schedules that schools could implement countywide, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The district could implement any of the following schedules come August, with the flexibility to shift to another option at any time depending on the severity of the virus (i.e., a second wave)
The first three schedules involve dividing students up into four groups, based on their last name: Blue, Red, Green, Purple
Option 0: What the district is currently doing. Entirely e-learning; no face-to-face learning.
Plan 1: Students attend school with face-to-face learning one day per week. The students, divided into four relatively equal groups, would attend class on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday with a quarter of the class physically present. Friday would be an e-learning day. Social distancing would be implemented.
Plan 2: Students attend school with face-to-face learning two days per week. Students would come every other day (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday with half of the class physically present. Social distancing would be implemented.
Plan 4: Every student attends classes Monday-Thursday. Friday is used for e-learning and planning. Social distancing is not implemented.
Plan 5A: Regular schedule, similar to pre-COVID-19 operations. Every student comes to school, every day, Monday-Friday.
Plan 5B: Same as 5A with the exception that hours are shortened. Students are dismissed early to provide an e-learning platform for students whose parents do not feel comfortable sending them.
Under plans 1-4 families choose for their students to be 100% e-learning (with limited teacher support) or both e-learning and in-person instruction. Under the five-day attendance plan, schools would be “back to normal” and unable to provide e-learning services. Under the Option 0 plan schools would be unable to provide in-person services.
The school board emphasis that nothing is set in stone and that plans are still in the discussion phase.